Officials call for blood donations in wake of Harvey

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Much of the Peninsula and Southside got a heavy dose of rain Sunday and largely avoided the snow. But the upper Peninsula, particularly James City County, and the areas approaching Richmond have gotten a heavy sheet of snow.

Much of the Peninsula and Southside got a heavy dose of rain Sunday and largely avoided the snow. But the upper Peninsula, particularly James City County, and the areas approaching Richmond have gotten a heavy sheet of snow.

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Much of the Peninsula and Southside got a heavy dose of rain Sunday and largely avoided the snow. But the upper Peninsula, particularly James City County, and the areas approaching Richmond have gotten a heavy sheet of snow.

Much of the Peninsula and Southside got a heavy dose of rain Sunday and largely avoided the snow. But the upper Peninsula, particularly James City County, and the areas approaching Richmond have gotten a heavy sheet of snow.

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A low pressure system brought a light burst of snow to the area Wednesday afternoon as temperatures dropped into the mid 30s.

A low pressure system brought a light burst of snow to the area Wednesday afternoon as temperatures dropped into the mid 30s.

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Greg Herring talks about the his farm in North Carolina as farmers cope with loss of crops to Hurricane Florence.

Greg Herring talks about the his farm in North Carolina as farmers cope with loss of crops to Hurricane Florence.

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Virginia-Pilot Photographer Steve Earley at Hatteras Island as minimal damage is reported. Some minor flooding on the roadways and heavy wind.

Virginia-Pilot Photographer Steve Earley at Hatteras Island as minimal damage is reported. Some minor flooding on the roadways and heavy wind.

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High winds and rain continue in downtown Hampton at Amory's Seafood Market

High winds and rain continue in downtown Hampton at Amory's Seafood Market

Associated Press

Officials say the catastrophic flooding from Harvey has increased the need for blood donations.

Virginia Blood Services said in a news release this week that many blood drives have been canceled and donor centers have closed in the affected areas. It notes that with more sustained rain in the forecast, those cancellations and closures are likely to rise.

Virginia Blood Services Executive Director Todd Cahill says donations also dramatically decline across the country around Labor Day because of the holiday weekend.

The release says type O blood donations are the most critically needed.

Virginia Blood Services is a nonprofit that provides blood products and transfusion-related services to in Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia.

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